Mrs. Drake's brother and sister are still in Chicago.  "My brother is married with the most adorable little boy in the world, named Neko," says Mrs. Drake.  Mrs. Drake and her husband are very close to his younger brother who lives in LA and his sister who lives in Sammamish, also married, with a gorgeous little girl, Olivia.  Mrs. Drake says,"  I have two little boys of my own: Juba and Boots, very mischievous kitties!"

Mrs. Drake's interest in teaching with a trip to Japan in college, where she lived with a family and taught English for four weeks at elementary and middle schools.  After college, Mrs. Drake spent six months in Peru teaching English, followed by a move to San Francisco.  "I worked there at various jobs for a year (architecture, marketing, hotel sales) before deciding to go back to school for a teaching degree." While she was in San Francisco, she taught reading for Sylvan's after school programs by night and taught 4th grade at a private school by day.  Finally, Mrs. Drake moved to Washington for a dream job in LWSD, she worked for one year teaching 6th grade at Samantha Smith ,"and now I am happy to move to Rosa Parks!"

When asked about her interests away from school, Mrs. Drake says,"I love to crochet baby blankets, and I used to have my own online business where I sold my creations.  I love to draw, paint, play the piano, and make things out of junk.  In the winter time I ski about every weekend, and in the summer, I kayak in quiet rivers."  This summer, Mrs. Drake even picked up whiffle ball.  She plans on trying out for the 2009 Olympic Whiffle Ball Team Tryouts.   She and her husband, Mr. Drake, went kayaking in Alaska this summer and got stuck in Aialik Bay for 4 days!  Sounds like a story you'll have to ask her about.

Mrs. Drake is very excited to be a part of the third grade team this year at Rosa Parks!